--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Readers tend to tolerate such…" description: "\"“Readers tend to tolerate such \"accidents\"... when they get the characters into trouble but they're less accepting when the author uses them to rescue ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ed/thomas-mccormack-106949_books_readers-tend-to-tolerate-such-accidents_2760377.jpg" --- # Readers tend to tolerate such "accidents"... when they get… ![“Readers tend to tolerate such "accidents"... when they get the characters into trouble but they're less accepting when the author uses them to rescue people. The "deus ex machina"...in one stroke it renders meaningless all the efforts of the cast.” quote by Thomas McCormack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ed/thomas-mccormack-106949_books_readers-tend-to-tolerate-such-accidents_2760377.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ed/thomas-mccormack-106949_books_readers-tend-to-tolerate-such-accidents_2760377.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ed/thomas-mccormack-106949_books_readers-tend-to-tolerate-such-accidents_2760377.jpg) > ““Readers tend to tolerate such "accidents"... when they get the characters into trouble but they're less accepting when the author uses them to rescue people. The "deus ex machina"...in one stroke it renders meaningless all the efforts of the cast.”” [Thomas McCormack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-mccormack/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The author warns that using convenient plot devices (deus ex machina) to rescue characters undermines narrative effort and credibility. **In simple terms:** Convenient rescues cheapen the story. Key Takeaway Avoid easy fixes; respect narrative integrity. Themes writing plot integrity storytelling Mood critical analytical Type Books:1 Deus Ex:1 Ex Machina:1 Characters Trouble:0 Readers Tend:0 Accidents Characters:0 Tolerate Accidents:0 Machina Stroke:0 When to use this quote - novel drafting - screenwriting - editing drafts Key Concepts literary criticism creative writing Questions to Reflect On - When is a deus ex machina justified? - How can you resolve conflict organically? A Different Perspective Such devices can sometimes be necessary. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accidents Characters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accidents-characters-3165555/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Characters Trouble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/characters-trouble-1515705/) [Deus Ex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deus-ex/) [Ex Machina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ex-machina/) [Machina Stroke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/machina-stroke-3165557/) [Readers Tend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/readers-tend-1633181/) [Tolerate Accidents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tolerate-accidents-3165556/) ## Related quotes > [Readers tend to devour short stories on a newssheet, but would be disinclined to read them in collections](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-p-hartley/readers-tend-to-devour-short-stories-on-a-newssheet-but-would-be/) [L.P. 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Everything would be so easy! 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